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Elastic shoe

Abstract: The present invention disclosed one of a pair of elastic shoes including a shoe body having a heel portion, and an elastic mechanism mounted on the heel portion of the shoe body. The elastic mechanism includes a plurality of air cells, and a plurality of plastic sleeves. The relatively higher elastic plastic sleeves are mounted around the air cells to produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to the pressure, so that the elastic mechanism has an excellent resilience. Thus, the elastic shoe has excellent elasticity and shock-absorbing effect to provide a comfortable sensation to a user. ...

Agent: Nikolai & Mersereau, P.A. - Minneapolis, MN, US
Inventor: Kuei-Lin Chang
USPTO Applicaton #: #20070033830 - Class: 036028000 (USPTO)

Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Soles, Cushion
The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070033830, Elastic shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to one of a pair of elastic shoes, and more particularly to an elastic shoe having excellent shock-absorbing effect to provide a comfortable sensation to a user.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A conventional elastic shoe in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 comprises a shoe body 30 having a heel portion 31, and an elastic mechanism 40 mounted on the heel portion 31 of the shoe body 30 to provide an elastic shock-absorbing effect to the shoe body 30. The elastic mechanism 40 includes a plurality of elastic posts 41 each having an inside formed with a through hole 411. However, the elastic posts 41 cannot produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to a pressure, so that the shock-absorbing effect of the elastic mechanism is limited greatly, thereby easily causing an uncomfortable sensation to a user.

[0005] The closest prior art reference of which the applicant is aware was disclosed in the Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 521588.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an elastic shoe, comprising a shoe body having a heel portion, and an elastic mechanism mounted on the heel portion of the shoe body to provide an elastic shock-absorbing effect to the shoe body. The elastic mechanism includes a plurality of air cells, and a plurality of plastic sleeves each mounted around a periphery of a respective one of the air cells.

[0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an elastic shoe having excellent elasticity and shock-absorbing effect to provide a comfortable sensation to a user.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an elastic shoe, wherein the relatively higher elastic plastic sleeves are mounted around the air cells to produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to the pressure, so that the elastic mechanism has an excellent resilience.

[0009] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an elastic shoe, wherein the plastic sleeves having a relatively higher elasticity are mounted around the air cells to produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to the pressure to prevent the elastic mechanism from losing its elastic force under the pressure, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the elastic mechanism.

[0010] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an elastic shoe, wherein when the applied pressure disappears, the elastic mechanism can restore instantaneously by its excellent resilience so as to provide an enhanced shock-absorbing effect to the shoe body.

[0011] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an elastic shoe, wherein when the air cells are subjected to a pressure, the air cells are connected with each other so that the applied pressure is distributed by the air cells smoothly and evenly, thereby enhancing the shock-absorbing effect of the elastic mechanism.

[0012] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an elastic shoe, wherein the air cells and the plastic sleeves of the elastic mechanism are made by a plastic injection molding process, so that the elastic mechanism has a lighter weight, thereby decreasing the weight of the shoe body.

[0013] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elastic shoe in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the elastic shoe as shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a partially side plan cross-sectional view of the elastic shoe as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan assembly view of the elastic shoe as shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic operational view of the elastic shoe as shown in FIG. 3 in use.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a partially top plan assembly view of an elastic shoe in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a plastic sleeve of an elastic shoe in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plastic sleeve of an elastic shoe in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional elastic shoe in accordance with the prior art.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a partially side plan cross-sectional view of the conventional elastic shoe as shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, one of a pair of elastic shoes in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a shoe body 10 having a heel portion 11, and an elastic mechanism 20 mounted on the heel portion 11 of the shoe body 10 to provide an elastic shock-absorbing effect to the shoe body 10.

[0025] The elastic mechanism 20 includes a plurality of air cells 21, and a plurality of plastic sleeves 22 each mounted around a periphery of a respective one of the air cells 21. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic mechanism 20 includes four air cells 21 and four plastic sleeves 22.

[0026] The air cells 21 are arranged symmetrically and connected with each other by a connecting pipe 23. The connecting pipe 23 has a substantially X-shaped cross-sectional profile.

[0027] Each of the plastic sleeves 22 has a relatively higher elasticity. Each of the plastic sleeves 22 is a hollow body and has a substantially oblong cross-sectional profile.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, at least one of the air cells 21 has a side provided with an inflating nozzle 24 to fill air into the air cells 21 so as to adjust the air pressure contained in the air cells 21.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, when the air cells 21 are subjected to a pressure, the air cells 21 are connected with each other so that the applied pressure is distributed by the air cells 21 smoothly and evenly. In addition, the plastic sleeves 22 having a relatively higher elasticity are mounted around the air cells 21 to produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to the pressure, so that the elastic mechanism 20 has an excellent resilience. Thus, when the applied pressure disappears, the elastic mechanism 20 can restore instantaneously by its excellent resilience so as to provide an enhanced shock-absorbing effect to the shoe body 10. In addition, the air cells 21 and the plastic sleeves 22 of the elastic mechanism 20 are made by a plastic injection molding process, so that the elastic mechanism 20 has a lighter weight, thereby decreasing the weight of the shoe body 10. Further, the plastic sleeves 22 having a relatively higher elasticity are mounted around the air cells 21 to produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to the pressure to prevent the elastic mechanism 20 from losing its elastic force under the pressure, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the elastic mechanism 20.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, the elastic mechanism 20 includes five air cells 21 and five plastic sleeves 22, wherein four air cells 21 are arranged symmetrically and one air cell 21 is located at a central portion of the four air cells 21 and mounted on a central portion of the connecting pipe 23.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 7, each of the plastic sleeves 22 has a substantially semi-circular cross-sectional profile.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, each of the plastic sleeves 22 has a substantially circular cross-sectional profile.

[0033] Accordingly, the relatively higher elastic plastic sleeves 22 are mounted around the air cells 21 to produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to the pressure, so that the elastic mechanism 20 has an excellent resilience. In addition, the plastic sleeves 22 having a relatively higher elasticity are mounted around the air cells 21 to produce a restoring force instantaneously when being subjected to the pressure to prevent the elastic mechanism 20 from losing its elastic force under the pressure, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the elastic mechanism 20. Further, when the applied pressure disappears, the elastic mechanism 20 can restore instantaneously by its excellent resilience so as to provide an enhanced shock-absorbing effect to the shoe body 10. Further, when the air cells 21 are subjected to a pressure, the air cells 21 are connected with each other so that the applied pressure is distributed by the air cells 21 smoothly and evenly, thereby enhancing the shock-absorbing effect of the elastic mechanism 20. Further, the air cells 21 and the plastic sleeves 22 of the elastic mechanism 20 are made by a plastic injection molding process, so that the elastic mechanism 20 has a lighter weight, thereby decreasing the weight of the shoe body 10.

[0034] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

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